Road: Shackleton wins at great Day at Dishforth

Dave Shackleton (Wilson’s Wheels) secured victory in the elite race which formed part of a successful day of racing at Dishforth Airfield in North Yorkshire on Saturday.

The 32-year-old from Hull held off Matt Pilkington (Metaltek-Knights of Old) for the win on an exposed circuit which had attracted cyclists from across the region.

For the elite race alone there were 39 riders who tackled nine gruelling laps. At the end of the first circuit three riders had broken clear, Ben Kellett (Hope Factory Racing), Dave Shackleton (Wilson Wheels) and Matt Pilkington (Metaltek Knights of Old).

These starting working well together, the gap grew to 18 seconds and by lap five we had the leaders still with 16 seconds advantage followed by a breakaway group of around 15 riders.

Despite a concerted chase the leaders held on for the final kilometre and the sprint was won by Shackleton by a wheel from Matt Pilkington with Ben Kellett coming in for third place. A long break away rider Tim Lawson took fourth spot for Wheelbase with William Brown Velo 29 taking the sprint for the chasing group.

At the end of the first lap of the third and fourth category race there was a leading group of two - Jonny Tomes (Craven CC) and Sean Noon (unattached). These had a gap of 10 seconds, but by the end of the second lap Sean had gone alone and was building up pace all the time, with the rest quite happy to work together in the bunch.

It was certainly a hard man’s event and to stay out in front for 50 minutes took some doing, it was all credit to Sean as he crossed the line. Peter Cox was elated with his arm in the air as he crossed the line for second place from Luke Preston from the promoting club Airedale Olympic taking third.

The fourth cat men’s race included a lot of riders looking for those elusive points to gain their third cat status.

A total of 33 riders took to the start line and with the wind sock ever moving it was going to be a hard five laps of the course. No riders were allowed to get away for more than a few seconds, the wind certainly took its toll, however it was encouraging to only see two riders retire, so the judges braced themselves for a bunch sprint finish.

As they were approaching the final corner it was the yellow black and white of BBM Revolution hot at the front of the pace and a well-deserved win from Leeds rider Chay Curtin, closely followed by the Harrogate Nova pairing of Richard Pennock and Simon Cave.

The women’s race saw 12 eager participants who were set off a minute behind the men, as they came around for the first race it was the due of Iona Sewell and Brit Tate of GB cycles at the front.

This was to be the way for the full race, with the two breaking away followed by a nice group of five and three working together at the back. As we came to the sprint it was Brit Tate who won the battle of the two from Iona and Sian Botteley taking third from Squadra Donne.

Iona Sewell won the second ladies event from Brit Tate with Victoria Hood taking the third spot from Jo Blackburn GB Cycles and Clair Rutherford Wheelguru.

The race for fourth cat men (and the women whose race was combined) took place with the weather getting cooler and the wind stronger.

As the first lap was up three riders had broken away with Iona Sewell working with GB Cycles team mate Brit Tate along with Neil Harris of University of York.

These three proved to be untouchable as they powered around the course, they ended up 48 seconds in front. The men's event was deservedly won by Neil Harris, gaining his third cat licence, and also Alex Kidner (Albarosa CC) who won the bunch gallop from Alasdair Burns (Crosstrax) who also gained enough points to move up a category next season.

Overall it was superbly organised event and coffee on tap from a man who served the best espresso from a Smart car I've ever tasted...... Well done Airedale Olympic and the riders certainly went home very happy and satisfied. A good day out was had by all.

British Cycling would like to thank the organising team, officials and everyone else who helped promote this event. Our sport could not exist without the hundreds of people, many of them unpaid volunteers, who put in many hours of hard work running events, activities and clubs.

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